Spectacles with weight bearing cheek rest

ABSTRACT

Spectacles for wearing by a user include first and second lenses and first and second frame sections bearing the first and second lenses respectively. In addition, the spectacles include a bridge connected to the first and second frame sections, and first and second weight shift devices connected to the first and second frame sections respectively. The first and second weight shift devices transfer some of the weight of the spectacles to an area of the face of the user in addition to the nose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of spectacles having weightbearing cheek rest, and in particular, to the field of spectacles wherethe user of the spectacles is unable to use the nose to substantiallysupport the spectacles for various reasons, such as the user hasrecently undergone nose surgery.

2. Description of the Related Art

Presently, spectacles have been unable to accommodate the situationwhere a person has a sensitive nose, for various reasons, and is unableto comfortably rest the nose bridge of the spectacles on their nosebecause the nose bridge usually carries the major weight of thespectacles. Thus, a person with a sensitive nose which is unable toburden the weight of heavy spectacles must refrain from wearing thespectacles. This problem is also extended to the are of shaded glassesas well where a person not requiring corrective spectacles may stillhave the desire to wear shaded glasses to protect their eyes from brightconditions or obnoxious glare. Accordingly, a person with a sensitivenose has also been unable to wear shaded spectacles.

The prior art spectacles have not addressed this above problem to designspectacles where some, a substantial portion or all of the weight of thespectacles is not supported via a nose rest, but is supported usingother means, to permit the person with a sensitive nose to wearcorrective glasses or shaded glasses. For example, the prior art teachesmakeup spectacles which are designed to permit the wearer requiringcorrective lenses to apply makeup to one eye while looking through acorrective lens using the other eye. This system permits the user toapply the makeup while wearing corrective lenses. However, the problemof providing spectacles where some of the weight is not rested on thenose has not been described. Further, the prior art has not providedspectacles for people with sensitive noses.

Thus, it is desirable that spectacles be provided which will allow aperson with a sensitive nose to wear the spectacles.

It is also desirable to provide spectacles which instead of applying theweight of the spectacles on the nose for support, apply a substantialportion of the weight of the spectacles to areas other than the nose,such as the area of the cheek.

It is also desirable to provide the above spectacles as unshaded orshaded spectacles.

In addition, it is desirable to minimize the cost of providing the abovespectacles by also providing an optional attachment that transfers asubstantial portion of the weight of the spectacles from an ordinarypair of spectacles to the attachment which transfers the weight to anarea which is different than the nose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providespectacles which will allow a person with a sensitive nose to wear thespectacles.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide spectacleswhich instead of applying the weight of the spectacles on the nose forsupport, apply a substantial portion of the weight of the spectacles toareas other than the nose, such as the area of the cheek.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide the abovespectacles as unshaded or shaded spectacles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the abovespectacles where the device which transfers some, a substantial portionor all of the weight of the spectacles to areas of the face other thanthe nose is non-obtrusive and positioned where the weight transferdevice is minimally visible to others.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to minimize the costof providing the above spectacles by also providing an optionalattachment that transfers a substantial portion of the weight of thespectacles from an ordinary pair of spectacles to the attachment whichthen transfers the weight to an area which is different than the nose.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention providesspectacles having a weight for wearing by a user having a face and anose. The spectacles include first and second lenses and first andsecond frame sections bearing the first and second lenses respectively.In addition, the spectacles include a bridge connected to the first andsecond frame sections, and first and second weight shift devicesconnected to the first and second frame sections respectively. The firstand second weight shift devices transfer some of the weight of thespectacles to an area of the face of the user in addition to the nose.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a spectacle weight shiftdevice is provided for transferring weight of spectacles supported by auser having a face and a nose. The spectacles having first and secondlenses and a frame having a bridge. The spectacle weight shift deviceincludes a frame attachment and first and second weight shift devicesconnected to the frame attachment. The first and second weight shiftdevices transfer some of the weight of the spectacles to an area of theface of the user in addition to the nose. In addition, connection meansis provided for connecting the frame attachment to the spectacles suchthat the spectacles do not require permanent modification for using thespectacle weight shift device.

These together with other objects and advantages which will besubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, withreference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the weight transfer deviceof the present invention as used with spectacles;

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the first embodiment of the weighttransfer device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second embodiment of the weight transfer deviceof the present invention as used with spectacles; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of the second embodiment of the weighttransfer device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the weight transfer device connecteddirectly to the lenses of the spectacles; and

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the weight transfer device connecteddirectly to the lenses of the spectacles which are shaded lenses to beclipped to other spectacles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the weight transfer deviceof the present invention as used with spectacles. In FIG. 1, thespectacles illustrated are comprised of two correcting lenses 2 and 4made of plastic or mineral glass. Each one of these two lenses 2 and 4are inserted in frames 6 holding and defining the perimeter shape of thelens.

Between areas facing one another of the two lenses 2 and 4 is situated abridge 8, which is equipped at each of its two ends with a fasteningdevice 10. The two fastening devices 10 serve the purpose of connectingthe bridge with the frame sections 6 holding each of the two lenses 2and 4. Each of the two fastening devices 10 are comprised of a shank 12arranged on the back side of frames 6, and the lenses 2 and 4, and asupport segment 14, which extends along a stretch on the edge of frames6. The shank 12 and the support segment 14 of each fastening device 10are formed in one piece with the bridge 8. An element 16, in the form ofa pin, runs through a hole, not shown, in the frames 6 and is thickenedon its front side in the shape of a ball; with this ball-shapedthickening it reposes in an analogous widening of the hole of the frontside of each respective lens and is connected on the back side of thelens firmly with the shank 12. In this manner the pin-shaped element 16may firmly retain the frames 6 on the shank 12 and on the supportsegment 14.

On the bridge 8, a bridge mounting (not shown) is attached which mergesdownward into two side bridges 20. The two side bridges 20 have the taskof supporting the spectacles on the nose of the wearer of thespectacles, and positioning the spectacles in the appropriate place onthe face for obtaining proper corrective viewing. In addition to sidebridges 20, the present invention also includes weight transfer devices3 and 5 which are used to transfer the weight of the spectacles fromfalling directly on the nose through side bridges 20 to other areas ofthe face. In this first embodiment of the present invention, weighttransfer devices 3 and 5 are attached to frames 6 at the lower end andin front. Weight transfer devices 3 and 5 are preferably shaped towardthe rear of the spectacles which is toward the face of the spectaclewearer. In this manner, weight transfer devices 3 and 5 contact theface, particularly in this embodiment the area of the cheeks, andtransfer some, a substantial portion or all of the weight of thespectacles from the nose to the cheek area of the face.

While weight transfer devices 3 and 5 are shown in FIG. 1 to be attachedto the lower end of frames 6 of the spectacles, weight transfer devices3 and 5 may also be positioned on other areas of frames 6 where some ofthe weight of the spectacles may be transferred to the face of thewearer of the spectacles. In addition, while weight transfer devices 3and 5 are shown in FIG. 1 to transfer the weight of the spectacles tothe cheek area of the face of the wearer, weight transfer devices 3 and5 may also be positioned to transfer some of the weight of thespectacles to other areas of the face as well.

On the side of any one of the frame 6 and two lenses 2 and 4 facing awayfrom the bridge 8, hinge pieces 22 and 24 have been arranged, on whichone shackle toggle each has been formed. In addition, a fastening device10 has been formed in one piece with each of the two hinge pieces 22 and24 and these may be similar in form with the two fastening devices 10 onthe bridge 8. The fastening devices 10 on the hinge pieces 22 and 24reposes each with their support segments 14 on the edge 10.

Each of the two hinges 22 and 24 are connected with a temple 26 and 28,respectively in the joints of hinges 22 and 24. Each of the two temples26 and 28 include a longitudinally extended temple shaft 30 and a templeend piece 32, which is connected with the back end of each respectivetemple end 30 and serves the purpose of going behind the ear of thespectacle wearer to fit against the skull and/or ear, and thus, tosecure the spectacles in position.

On the front end of each of the temples 26 and 28 a further shackletoggle joint, not shown, may be formed which, together with the twoshackle toggle joints, not shown, of the adjoining hinge pieces 22 and24, forms hinges 34 and 36, where a hinge bolt 38 belonging to each ofthe hinges 34 and 36 is inserted. Hinge bolt 38 can be, for example, ahinge screw or hinge rivet.

In the lower of the two shackle toggle joints formed on hinge pieces 22and 24, a circumferential slot has been formed, into which a torus issnapped. In this manner the hinge bolt 38, such as a rivet, is securedagainst unintentional loosening. This simple type of securing the hingebolt is made possible, just as is the connection explained above betweenthe temple end piece 32 and the temple shaft 30, by using a plasticmaterial for the temple end piece 32 and the temple shaft 30 as well asfor hinge pieces 22 and 24.

From the above description, it is apparent that the spectacles arebasically constructed in the manner of a traditional metal-fittingspectacles or glass spectacles with the exception of weight transferdevices 3 and 5 being attached to frames 6 of the spectacles. Inaddition to weight transfer devices 3 and 5 being attached to frames 6,weight transfer devices 3 and 5 may also, for example, be attacheddirectly to lenses 2 and 4 for frameless spectacles or to hinges 22 and24. Thus, any area of the spectacles is contemplated by the presentinvention as long as some of the weight of the spectacles may betransferred from the nose to a different area of the face.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the first embodiment of the weighttransfer device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, weight transferdevice 3 includes base 40 for attachment to frames 6 via attachmentmechanism 42. Attachment mechanism 42 may be, for example, a screw whichdirectly attaches to frames 6, or a bolt and nut arrangement where thebolt is inserted through base 40 and frames 6 and the nut secures frames6 to base 40.

Elongated and curved portion 44 is attached to base 40 via conventionalmeans, such as being welded or molded from the same material. Elongatedand curved portion 44 is also connected to facial contact 46 in asimilar manner as to base 40. Facial contact 46 is used to contact theface, and thereby transfer the weight of the spectacles from the nosevia side bridges 20 to a different area of the face, such as the cheekportion of the face. Accordingly, weight transfer devices 3 and 5 of thepresent invention transfers some, a substantial portion or even all theweight of the spectacles from the nose to a different area of the face,such as the cheek portion of the face.

Weight transfer devices 3 and 5 may also be positioned on the side offrames 6 which is toward the wearer, and thus, is somewhat hidden fromsight by onlookers. In addition, weight transfer devices 3 and 5 mayalso be hinged so that weight transfer devices 3 and 5 may be folded upand hidden from view when not in use. Weight transfer devices 3 and 5may also be used with spectacles that are shaded for protection from thesun, or weight transfer devices 3 and 5 may also be used with clip onshades that clip on to spectacles for shading the wearer's eyes from thesun. Further, since weight transfer devices 3 and 5 do not obstruct thefront of the spectacles, clip on shaded lenses may be used withspectacles incorporating the features of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second embodiment of the weight transfer deviceof the present invention as used with spectacles. In FIG. 3, the samereference numerals are used to indicate like parts as referred to inFIG. 1. Accordingly, only the different parts illustrated in FIG. 3 willbe discussed. As shown in FIG. 3, weight transfer devices 3 and 5 areconnected to frame attachment 7 instead of being directly connected toframes 6. Frame attachment 7 is then attached to the spectacles in amanner which permits attachment/removal without requiring permanentchanges to the spectacles (not shown in FIG. 3). Accordingly, when aspectacle wearer is unable to wear ordinary spectacles due to asensitive nose, the wearer is not required to purchase specialspectacles or even modify their existing spectacles in a permanentmanner. Rather, the spectacle wearer need only purchase the frameattachment 7 with weight transfer devices 3 and 5 which may then beconnected to the spectacles in a non-permanent manner discussed below.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of the second embodiment of the weighttransfer device of the present invention as attached to the spectaclesto permit the weight transfer device to be used by the spectacle wearerat will, without requiring any modification or permanent alteration tothe spectacles. In FIG. 4, weight transfer devices 3 and 5 are directlyattached via attachment mechanism 42 to frame attachment 7. Frameattachment 7 preferably includes spectacle support 47 having a cavity 48for inserting frames 6 of the spectacles.

In addition, spectacle support 47 of frame attachment 7 also preferablyincludes securing device 50 connected to band 52. As shown in FIG. 4,band 52 is positioned to secure frame attachment 7 to frames 6 of thespectacle in a plane which is parallel to the spectacles by wrappingaround, for example, hinge pieces 22 and 24 and, perhaps, the top offrames 6. Alternatively, instead of the securing attachment 50 beinglocated on the side of spectacle support 47 so that band 52 is in thesame plane as frames 6, securing attachment 50 may include a series ofattachments located on the front and back of spectacle support 47.Accordingly, several bands would be used, and the bands would bepositioned in a perpendicular manner with respect to frames 6 to securethe frame attachment 7 to the spectacles.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the weight transfer device connecteddirectly to the lenses of the spectacles. In FIG. 5, the spectacles aresimilar to the spectacles described in FIG. 1 with the exception thatthe weight shift devices 3 and 5 are connected directly to lenses 2 and4, respectively. FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the weight transferdevice connected directly to the lenses of the spectacles which areshaded lenses to be clipped to other spectacles. In FIG. 6, weight shiftdevices 3 and 5 are connected to shaded lenses 2' and 4', respectivelyof shaded spectacles 60. Shaded spectacles 60 includes bridge 18' whichis connected to clipping device 62. Clipping device 62 is then connectedto other spectacles for providing protection for the eyes fromultraviolet rays as well as providing the weight shift transfer functionprovided by weight shift devices 3 and 5.

While two alternative methods have been specified which detail theattachment of frame attachment 7 to the spectacle in a manner whichpermits removal of frame attachment 7 at the wearers will and does notrequire permanent adaptation of the spectacles, other methodsaccomplishing similar results are also considered within the scope ofthe present invention.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spectacle weight shift device transferringweight of spectacles supported by a user having a face and a nose, thespectacles having first and second lenses and a frame having a bridge,said spectacle weight shift device comprising:a frame attachment; firstand second weight shift devices connected to said frame attachment,transferring some of the weight of the spectacles to an area of the faceof the user in addition to the nose; and connection means for connectingsaid frame attachment to the spectacles such that the spectacles do notrequire permanent modification for using the spectacle weight shiftdevice, said connection means comprising a strap connected to said frameattachment and removably securing said frame attachment to thespectacles.
 2. A spectacle weight shift device according to claim 1,wherein said connection means comprises the strap connected on oppositeends of said frame attachment and positioned in a substantially sameplane as the frame of the spectacles.
 3. A spectacle weight shift deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said connection means comprises the strapconnected on opposite sides of said frame attachment and positionedaround the frame of the spectacles.
 4. A spectacle weight shift deviceaccording to claim 1,wherein the face of the user includes a cheek area,and wherein said first and second weight shift devices transfer some ofthe weight of the spectacles to the cheek area.
 5. A spectacle weightshift device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second weightshift devices are connected on a side of said frame attachment whichconfronts the face of the user for minimum visibility of said first andsecond weight shift devices by others.
 6. A spectacle weight shiftdevice according to claim 1, wherein said first and second weight shiftdevices transfer either a substantial portion or all of the weight ofthe spectacles to an area of the face of the user other than the nose.7. A method of transferring weight of spectacles supported by a userhaving a face and a nose using a spectacle weight shift device, thespectacle weight shift device comprising a frame attachment, first andsecond weight shift devices connected to the frame attachment,transferring some of the weight of the spectacles to an area of the faceof the user in addition to the nose, and connection means comprising astrap for removably connecting the frame attachment to the spectaclessuch that the spectacles do not require permanent modification for usingthe spectacle weight shift device, said method comprising the stepsof:(a) removably securing the first and second weight shift devices tothe spectacles using the frame attachment and the connection means ofthe spectacle weight shift device; and (b) transferring some of theweight of the spectacles to an area of the face of the user in additionto or instead of the nose using the first and second weight shiftdevices.